Breaking the Chains: A Mother's Journey Through Generational Mental Health
Looking Back
Introduction
I know a woman who faces daily battles with anxiety, depression, severe PMS (potentially PMDD), and ADHD. Motherhood transformed her perspective on coping and understanding mental health issues. Witnessing her child confront similar challenges motivated her to explore her family's history, uncovering a pattern of mental health struggles spanning generations.
This woman's experiences prompted me to consider how many other mothers may be facing similar situations. I aim to offer insights that could trigger an "aha" moment or provide guidance on addressing generational trauma. Recognizing mental health patterns within one's family can profoundly impact mothers, shifting them from isolation to proactive engagement and from silence to meaningful conversation.
As May bridges mental health awareness and the celebration of motherhood, we continue our series on maternal mental health. This installment delves into the intricate role maternal mental health plays in personal well-being and family dynamics. We aim to illuminate effective strategies for overcoming trauma and underscore the importance of recognizing and addressing mental health ripple effects through generations. Join us as we navigate these complexities, offering pathways toward support, understanding, and resilience in our ongoing conversation about this crucial topic.
NOTE: I am not a mental health provider. This post is offered from an empowerment coach’s perspective and experience.
Generational Silence
Recognizing Generational Patterns
So here’s the question. How does one begin to recognize generational mental health issues? Here are some strategies.
Identifying Common Signs: Observe recurring behaviors and symptoms within your family, such as persistent anxiety in social situations, depressive episodes during specific seasons, or patterns of impulsive behavior that might suggest ADHD.
Documenting Family Mental Health History: Create a detailed family mental health tree. Note any known mental health diagnoses, treatments, and lifestyle factors that might have influenced these conditions, such as major life stressors or traumas.
The Impact of Silence and Stigma
Understanding Stigma's Roots: Acknowledge how historical and cultural factors have contributed to the stigma around mental health in your family. For instance, recognize the fear of judgment that may have prevented open discussions in the past.
Initiating Conversations: Start with one-on-one discussions with family members who may be more open or who have shown signs of struggling. Use specific examples from your family history to broach the subject sensitively.
Self-Care Strategy
Strategies for Healing and Empowerment
Professional Support: Seek therapists specializing in family therapy or generational trauma. Ask for recommendations from trusted healthcare providers or local support groups that focus on familial mental health issues.
Family Meetings: Organize regular family meetings dedicated to mental health education and sharing. Use these gatherings to discuss strategies for managing stress, understanding emotional responses, and supporting each other in seeking help.
Educational Workshops: Participate in or organize workshops with mental health professionals who can provide insights into recognizing and managing symptoms of common conditions like anxiety, depression, and ADHD within a familial context.
Building a Supportive Community
Creating Peer Support Groups: Establish or join peer support groups for mothers dealing with generational mental health issues. Look for local community centers or online platforms that facilitate these groups.
Online Forums and Blogs: Engage with online communities that discuss generational mental health. Platforms like Reddit or specific mental health forums can offer anonymous spaces for sharing experiences and advice.
Mental Health First Aid Kit
Practical Action Steps for Mothers
Mental Health First Aid Kit: Create a "mental health first aid kit" for your family, including contact information for therapists, calming activities, and a list of symptoms that signal the need for professional help.
Self-Care Plans: Develop personal self-care plans that include regular physical activity, time for hobbies, and techniques for emotional regulation, such as deep breathing exercises or journaling.
Create a family list: Often, members in your family may be silently struggling with the same symptoms. Unaware that others in the household or in your bloodline are dealing with these issues, your loved ones may feel alone. But with a family symptoms list—a shared document where you all document your feelings, thoughts and symptoms, the isolation may get broken.
Healing Circle
Conclusion
By recognizing the patterns of mental health that weave through our families, we can begin to dismantle the barriers of silence and stigma. This guide offers a starting point for mothers ready to confront generational mental health challenges, providing specific actions and resources to foster understanding, healing, and empowerment.
Engage and Share Your Journey
We invite you to share your journey with generational mental health. How have you addressed these challenges within your family? Your specific experiences and strategies can offer invaluable support to others in similar situations.
P.S. — It’s Covet Season
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Photo Credit: Chris Charles
ABOUT THE BLOGGER
Dr. Sagashus Levingston is an author, entrepreneur and PhD holder. She has two fur babies, Maya and Gracie, six children (three boys and three girls), and they all (including her partner) live in Madison, WI. She loves all things business, is committed to reminding moms of their power, and is dedicated to playing her part in closing the wealth gap for people of color and women. She believes that mothering is a practice, like yoga, and she fights daily to manage her chocolate intake. The struggle is real, y’all…and sometimes it’s beautiful.
Follow her on Instagram: @infamous.mothers